Agroecology Knowledge Hub

Efficiency : innovative agroecological practices produce more using less external resources

Increased resource-use efficiency is an emergent property of agroecological systems that carefully plan and manage diversity to create synergies between different system components. For example, a key efficiency challenge is that less than 50 percent of nitrogen fertilizer added globally to cropland is converted into harvested products and the rest is lost to the environment causing major environmental problems.

Agroecological systems improve the use of natural resources, especially those that are abundant and free, such as solar radiation, atmospheric carbon and nitrogen. By enhancing biological processes and recycling biomass, nutrients and water, producers are able to use fewer external resources, reducing costs and the negative environmental impacts of their use. Ultimately, reducing dependency on external resources empowers producers by increasing their autonomy and resilience to natural or economic shocks.

One way to measure the efficiency of integrated systems is by using Land Equivalent Ratios (LER). LER compares the yields from growing two or more components (e.g. crops, trees, animals) together with yields from growing the same components in monocultures. Integrated agroecological systems frequently demonstrate higher LERs.

Agroecology thus promotes agricultural systems with the necessary biological, socio-economic and institutional diversity and alignment in time and space to support greater efficiency.

Database

The Network of Institutions of Higher Education with Agroecology Programs in Colombia (IESAC), formed by the University of Cauca, Universidad de la Amazía, COREDI Technology, Minute University of God Corporation - UNIMINUTO, National University (Bogotá and Palmira headquarters) and Tolima University, will organize the seventh version of the International Seminar and Eleventh National Symposium on Agroecology, which...
Colombia
Event
2020
The National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) of Argentina organizes a cycle of 11 virtual meetings on agroecology through Instagram. The meetings are happening every Thursday from 18:00 to 19:30 (GMT-3). A special issue on "Agroecology at FAO" will be held on 30 June 2020 at 16:00 (GMT-3) with the participation of Anne...
Argentina
Event
2020
The webinar of the FAO Technical network on Sustainable Crop Prodcution and Agroecology will discuss current knowledge concerning the potential use of agroecological approaches in the fall armyworm (FAW) response, highlighting experiences from parts of Africa, South America and South Asia. Agroecological approaches offer culturally appropriate, low cost options for...
Brazil - India - Malawi - Zambia
Event
2020
The webinar, aim to inspire organic farmers organizations by sharing how local initiatives strengthen local production, consumption and marketing of organically grown food and products to ensure the health and wellness of the citizens and provide income to farmers through Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) not only during this time of...
India - Indonesia - Philippines - Sri Lanka - Taiwan Province of China - Viet Nam
Event
2020
SustainSahel project's full name is 'Synergistic use and protection of natural resources for rural livelihoods through systematic integration of crops, shrubs and livestock in the Sahel'. The overall goal of SustainSahel is to promote practices that enhance soil quality and yields, build resilience towards climate change, and contribute to food security and...
Project
2020